Yarn remainder feeler



R. JENNY Dec. 19, 1967 YARN REMAINDER FEELER Filed June 14, 1965 1 wvavroe 00m; JENNY BY ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,358,941 YARN REMAHNDER FEELER Rudolf Jenny, Thalwil, Switzerland, assignor to Maschinenfahrik Schweiter AG., Horgen, Switzerland, a corporation of Switzerland Filed June 14, 1965, Ser. No. 463,681 Claims priority, application Switzerland, June 29, 1964, 8,524/64- 9 Claims. (Cl. 24236) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A yarn remainder feeler for an automatic winding machine used for testing the yarn remainder available at a delivery bobbin and comprising a bracket member mounted for piv-otable movement. A pair of superimposed feeler members are carried by the bracket member, one such feeler member being rigidly connected with said bracket member, the other of said feeler members being movably mounted at the aforesaid bracket member. Furthermore, switch means are carried by said bracket member and such switch means being actuated by the movably mounted feeler member when the latter is in a predetermined position relative to said one feeler member. Actuating means cooperate with said bracket member for displacing said feeler members into a position for testing the yarn remainder available at a delivery bobbin.

The present invention has reference to an improved yarn remainder feeler for automatic winding machine or winders.

In automatic winding machines, particularly crosswinders, which automatically remove disturbances, such as yarn rupture or depletion of the delivery bobbin, the problem exists, on the one hand, to place demands in as short as possible time upon the automatic mechanism which removes the aforesaid disturbance since a plurality of winding stations are supervised and serviced by this automatic mechanism and, on the other hand, to only undertake the knotting operation when the supply of yarn at the delivery bobbin is large enough to justify such knotting operation without undertaking an exchange of the delivery bobbin. For this reason, winders have been constructed in which each delivery bobbin is associated with a yarn remainder feeler which senses the supply of yarn upon the delivery bobbin sleeve. The shortcomings, specifically the measuring inaccuracies of this feeler, are attributable to the fact that inaccuracies occur such as eccentric mounting of the bobbins, or in particular, differences in the dimensions of most of the cardboard bobbin sleeves. Thus, the problem of distinguishing or sorting out those delivery bobbins where the yarn supply drops below a certain value can generally not be solved.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved yarn remainder feeler in which the measurement results are independent of inaccuracies of the machine parts and eccentric mount ing of the bobbin sleeves.

Another considerable object of this invention is directed to the provision of an improved yarn remainder feeler which enables determining in a highly reliable and accurate manner the exact yarn supply appearing at a scanned delivery bobbin.

A further noteworthy object of this invention is directed to an improved construction of yarn remainder feeler for automatic winders which eflectively scans the delivery bobbin at a given Winding location or station and reliably determines the extent of the yarn package which still remains on such delivery bobbin.

It is still another important object of this invention to 3,353,941 Patented Dec; 19, 1967 provide an improved yarn remainder feeler for determining the yarn supply at a delivery bobbin and which in construction is quite simple and economical to manufacture, highly reliable and easy to operate.

Generally speaking, the inventive yarn remainder feeler for an automatic winder in which there is tested the yarn remainder appearing at a delivery bobbin is characterized by the features of a pivotably mounted bracket member carrying two superimposed feelers, one feeler is rigidly connected with the bracket member while the other feeler is movably mounted to said bracket member. Moreover, this bracket member carries a switch mechanism with which the movable feeler cooperates when it assumes a certain relative position with respect to the rigidly connected feeler, and an actuating member is provided for the yarn remainder feeler which cooperates with this bracket member.

Other features, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description and drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 schematically illustrates in perspective view a winding location or station of a winder provided with a first embodiment of inventive yarn remainder feeler; and

FIGURE '2 is a perspective view illustrating a modified form of yarn remainder feeler.

Describing now the drawing and, more particularly, directing attention initially to the embodiment of inven tive yarn remainder feeler depicted in FIGURE 1, it will be seen that a yarn F is payed-off a delivery or wind-oil bobbin 1, travelling through a balloon breaker 2, an eyelet 3, yarn tensioner 4, over a stop stirrup or feeler bracket 5, and on to a wind-up bobbin 6. Assuming now that rupture of the yarn F occurs, then the feeler bracket 5, which normally has been restrained by the tension of the yarn, falls forwardly and thus actuates by means of its control arm 5a a switch unit 7. Switch unit 7 closes a current circuit supplied by a suitable current source 8 and in which circuit there is electrically coupled an electromagnet 9. Consequently, the core 9a of the electromagnet 1 is displaced out of its coil in the direction of the arrow A, pressing, by means of a strap or link 10 connected thereto, the yarn remainder feeler assembly Y against the delivery bobbin or cop 1 and contra the force of a torsion spring 11.

Considering now details of the physical structure of this yarn remainder feeler Y it will be seen that such comprises the actual feeler head element 12 exhibiting a stationary yet adjustable feeler 13 and, at a small spacing therefrom, a displaceable feeler 15 which is normally pushed towards the outside by means of a spring 14. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, both of the feelers 13, 15 are arranged at a face 12a of the feeler head 12 confronting the delivery bobbin or cop 1. The rear end 16a of the feeler 15 is provided with a widened or stepped portion 16, best seen in FIGURE 2, which limits the extent which spring 14 can move feeler 15 towards the outside, i.e., in the direction of the delivery bobbin 1. Rear end 16a of the feeler 15 is disposed in the operating region of a switching pin or trigger cam 17a of a switch unit 17 which initiates exchange of the delivery bobbin 1. The exact manner in which switch unit 17 brings about exchange of the delivery bobbin 1 has not been considered in further detail herein because such is not necessary for understanding the details of the inventive yarn remainder feeler, and further, the use of yarn remainder feelers for actuating a switch to trigger an exchange mechanism for changing a delivery bobbin is well known to the art. In this respect, attention can readily be had to my copending United States application, Ser. No. 360,226, filed Apr. 16, 1964, and entitled Method and Apparatus for the Processing of Undesired Yarn Conditions Appearing at an Automatic Winding Machine, now U.S. Patent 3,304,015, such application also having been commonly assigned.

It will further be noted that the feeler head 12 is hingedly connected at 13 with a pivotable arm 19, a spring 20 spreading the pivotable feeler head 12 and pivotable arm 19 from one another, the path between such members being limited by the noses 12a and 19a provided at feeler head 12 and pivot arm 19 respectively. The pivot arm 19 and thus the feeler head 12, which together form a pivotably mounted bracket member, are normally held away from the delivery bobbin or cop 1 by means of the torsion spring 11. This spring 11 is wound about a shaft 11a carried in a support 11b and has one end 11d bearing against a pin 11c fixed to the pivot arm 19. Now, if the electromagnet 9, as previously explained, presses the yarn remainder feeler Y contra the force of the spring 11 against the delivery bobbin 1, then the stationary yet adjustable feeler 13 impacts against the remainder of the yarn package 1a and the feeler 15 biased by the spring 14 bears against the sleeve end 1b of the delivery bobbin or cop 1. It will be recognized that with quantitative reduction in the remainder of the yarn package In, the feeler 15 is pushed more extensively into the feeler head 12 since the latter, due to the feeler 13 being supported against the yarn remainder package 1a, follows the reducing diameter of the aforesaid yarn remainder package 10. If now, the regulated difierence in spacing between the adjustable feeler 13 and the spring biased feeler 15 is fallen below, measured at the switching location of the switch unit 17, then feeler 15 actuates the switch unit 17 and thus triggers the delivery bobbinexch-ange operation.

According to FIGURE 1, if each winding location or station S is provided with a yarn remainder feeler Y of the type described then placing into operation of such yarn remainder feeler occurs by means of the electromagnet 9 via the connecting lug or link 10. In this case, a time switch 21 is provided in the electromagnetic circuit which after completed measurement operation undertaken by the feeler head 12 interrupts the current circuit and the yarn remainder feeler Y is brought into its rest position by the spring 11 and, if need be, the bobbin sleeve 1b can be ejected.

It will be recalled that in the arrangement of FIG- URE 1 it was assumed that a separate inventive yarn remainder feeler Y was provided for each winding station or location S of the automatic winder. On the other hand, it is possible to provide a common yarn remainder feeler Y for a plurality of winding locations or stations, and such an arrangement is shown in FIGURE 2. By comparing the embodirnentsof FIGURES 1 and 2 even briefly, it will be immediately apparent that there is a certain similarity in a great deal of the physical structure of both embodiments, for which reason the same reference characters have been employed for like or analogous.

elements, and generally only the diiferences between these two embodiments will be consideredin greater detail.

Now, in FIGURE 2 where a common yarn remainder feeler Y is associated with a plurality of winding locations, it will be understood that these winding locations carry out a movement relative to this yarn remainder feeler Y, typically such winding locations are mounted for rotation upon a rotatable table as described in my aforementioned copending United States patent application. In this instance, then, the pivot arm 19 of the bracket member 12, 19 is provided with a control cam or element 22 which extends into the operating zone of each of the electrom-agnets 9 provided at their respective core 9a with a control or switch roller 23 arranged at the respective winding locations or stations which travel past the aforesaid yarn remainder feeler Y. It will thus be appreciated that if the core 9a of the electromagnet 9 at a given winding location pushes the roller 23 outwardly,

then the yarn remainder feeler Y, due to the form of the control cam 22 and the relative movement between the winding stations and such yarn remainder feeler, is guided for a short time against the corresponding delivery bobbin 1 for the purpose of testing the degree of yarn package In remaining thereon, whereby, in this instance, it becomes unnecessary for obvious reasons to incorporate a time-switch 21. The circuit arrangement and mode of operation of the electromagnet 9 of the embodi. ment of FIGURE 2 is analogous to the embodiment previously considered in conjunction with the description of FIGURE 1.

By further referring to the exemplary embodiment of FIGURE 2, and due to the fact that there exists relative movement between the feelers 13, 15 and the individual Winding stations to be scanned, it will be seen that pivotable arms in the form of slide skids or shoes 23 and 24 are arranged in overlying relationship to the feelers 13 and 15 respectively. Hence, these slide skids 23 and 24 directly undertake scanning of the yarn remainder 1a and the sleeve end 1b of the delivery bobbin 1 in lieu of the scanning operation previously directly undertaken by the feelers 13 and 15. These slideskids 23 and 24 are each pivotably mounted at a shaft or pin 25 arranged in a boss or crosspiece 26 of the feeler head .12 and are pulled by means of the springs 27 and 28, respectively, towards the feeler head 12 and against the feelers 13 and 15, respectively. It will be understood that the manner of operation of the yarn remainder feeler Y of the embodiment of FIGURE 2 remains analogous to that described in conjunction with the embodiment of FIGURE 1, permitting faultless measurement of the yarn remainder package 1a at the delivery cop 1 in spite of the relative movement between the delivery bobbins 1 of the individual winding stations and such common yarn remainder feeler Y.

With the winding machine having winding stations S of the type schematically illustrated in FIGURE 1, such can be assumed to be a winder in which a plurality of such winding stations are arranged at a rotatable table carrying out a rotational movement with respect to a stationary automatic unit for removing disturbances. In so doing, if a yarn remainder feeler Y according to the.

arrangement of FIGURE 2 is employed, then such is preferably arranged in operable association in front of this unit so that the error signal of the feeler is released by closing of the switch 17 and available before the unit has begun to correct the yarn rupture or otherwise. Here again, this manner of arranging the yarn remainder feeler with respect to the automatic is disclosed in my aforementioned copending United States patent application, to which reference may be readily had in the event further details are desired.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practised within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Yarn remainder feeler for an automatic winding machine used for testing the yarn remainder available at a delivery bobbin, comprising a bracket member mounted for pivotable movement, a pair of superimposed feeler members carried by said bracket member, one of said feeler members being rigidly connected with said bracket member, the other of said feeler members being movably mounted at said bracket member, switch means carried by said bracket member, said switch means being actuated by said movably mounted feeler member when the latter is in a predetermined position relative to said one feeler member, and actuating means cooperating with said bracket member for displacing said feeler members into a position for testing the yarn remainder available at a delivery bobbin.

2. Yarn remainder feeler for an automatic winding machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said bracket member comprises two pivotably connected elements and spring means for normally spreading said two elements so as to brace themselves against one another, one of said pivotably mounted elements carrying said pair of feeler members, the other of said pivotably mounted elements being acted upon by said actuating means.

3. Yarn remainder feeler for an automatic winding machine as defined in claim 2 wherein said actuating means comprises an electromagnet for displacing said feeler members into said position for testing the yarn remainder available at a delivery bobbin.

4. Yarn remainder feeler for an automatic winding machine as defined in claim 3 wherein said electromagnet incorporates a displaceable roller element, a cam element provided at said other pivotably mounted element cooperating with said roller element for displacing said feeler members into said position for testing the yarn remainder available at a delivery bobbin.

5. Yarn remainder feeler for an automatic winding machine as defined in claim 3 wherein said electromagnet incorporates a displaceable core, a link member connecting said core with said other of said pivotably mounted elements.

6. Yarn remainder feeler for an automatic winding machine as defined in claim 1 further including a respective pivotably mounted arm arranged in front of each feeler member.

7. Yarn remainder feeler for an automatic winding machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said winding machine includes a plurality of winding stations, each winding station including a delivery bobbin, and wherein said actuating means incorporates an electromagnet arranged at each winding station of the automatic winding machine, and a torsion spring provided for said bracket member counteracting the action of said electromagnet.

8. Yarn remainder feeler for an automatic winding machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said winding machine includes a plurality of winding stations movable past a stationary portion of the winding machine, eaoh winding station including a delivery bobbin, said bracket member being mounted at said stationary portion of the Winding machine, and said actuating means comprising an electromagnet provided for each winding station of the automatic winding machine.

9. Yarn remainder feeler for an automatic winding machine used for testing the yarn remainder available at a delivery bobbin, comprising a bracket member mounted for pivotable movement, a pair of superimposed feeler members carried by said bracket member, one of said feeler members being rigidly yet adjustably connected with said bracket member, the other of said feeler members being movably mounted at said bracket member, switch means carried by said bracket member, said switch means being actuated by said movably mounted feeler member when the latter is in a predetermined position relative to said one feeler member, and actuating means cooperating with said bracket member for displacing said feeler members into a position for testing the yarn remainder available at a delivery bobbin.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,383,914 1/1944 Esser et a l. 24235.6

3,031,149 4/1962 Furst et 131. 24235.6

FOREIGN PATENTS 1,332,980 6/ 1963 France.

STANLEY N. GILREATH, Primary Examiner. 

1. YARN REMAINDER FEELER FOR AN AUTOMATIC WINDING MACHINE USED FOR TESTING THE YARN REMAINDER AVAILABLE AT A DELIVEY BOBBIN, COMPRISING A BRAKCET MEMBER MOUNTED FOR PIVOTABLE MOVEMENT, A PAIR OF SUPERIMPOSED FEELER MEMBERS CARRIED BY SAID BRACKET MEMBER, ONE OF SAID FEELER MEMBERS BEING RIGIDLY CONNECTED WITH SAID BRACKET MEMBER, THE OTHER OF SAID FEELER MEMBERS BEING MOVABLY MOUNTED AT SAID BRACKET MEMBER, SWITCH MEANS CARRIED BY SAID BRACKET MEMBER, SAID SWITCH MEANS BEING ACTUATED BY SAID MOVABLY MOUNTED FEELER MEMBER WHEN THE 